When a reader becomes dissatisfied with what the author hands him, the author leaves the reader with only two options: sit in discomfort or to take matters into his own hands. Toni Morrison once aptly stated, "If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." In our English I class, our teacher Mrs. Holmgren challenged my classmates and I to grow dissatisfied with the age-old tales of Genesis and construct our own based off of the incidents and characters in the first book of the Bible. Building upon such an integral part of our culture made the project both difficult and rewarding.
(ADAM is a fairly neutral, trusting character. Child-like and easily frightened, he passes most of this conversation in alternations between angry confusion and thrilling revelation. The SERPENT should be played as the familiar sinister character, cold and calculating, with a striking poise similar to politicians or trial lawyers, even as he threatens ADAM'S life.)
ADAM: (Singing) La la la la, I love the garden, la la la all the beautiful animals and birds and plants and la la la...(etc.)
SERPENT: Adam...
ADAM: Who is there?
SERPENT: The serpent, the creature of the ground which you named yourself to be the serpent.
ADAM: What do you desire, serpent?
SERPENT: My desires are of no consequence, as our master God has placed little importance on us, the creatures of the ground. The importance has been placed upon the shoulders of man, of yourself, Adam. Yet, have you wondered what it is that set you as man apart from I, as beast?
ADAM: I have been created in the divine image. I have dominion over all creatures because of it. So says God, and as he is my master i have not thought to question it.
SERPENT: So says God? Well, God says much.(slithering noise, music out) If you have been created in the divine image, what have you done with the gifts you have been given?
ADAM: I have named the creatures of the earth, and I tend to the garden of Eden, all that my Lord has commanded me, no more, no less.
SERPENT: Your obedience is true, I grant you that. Yet you have no more knowledge than that which you have named, and no more wisdom than the plants that you tend.
(slithering noise, SERPENT wraps around ADAM. Following diologue until release should sound as though both parties are wrestling and exerting themselves)
ADAM: Off, you filthy creature, you crush me to the bones!
SERPENT: I am teaching you, do you not desire knowledge?
ADAM:I desire not this knowledge!
SERPENT: Perhaps the knowledge of God is the type you so desire!
ADAM:What could I do to gain this knowledge, why would I want to acquire it? I know not of the use of such things, nor have I considered them.
SERPENT: With more knowledge comes more power.
ADAM: AH! Only God knows more, and only God is more powerful...
SERPENT: But you could know more. Do you want to know more, Adam? Do you find the power that God covets so strongly desirable to you as well?
ADAM: How would such knowledge serve me? What would I do with it?
SERPENT: If God holds such knowledge, and God is good, then must not such knowledge be good as well?
ADAM: Ah! Now I do see! (slithering noise, SERPENT releases ADAM. ADAM pants to regain his breath) Knowledge shall bring me closer to God! You are so clearly correct. How sharply you see things, yet how low of a creature you are. Your lesson did teach me, and I forgive the pain you inflicted for the joy it shall later give me. I have one issue, however. The only way to acquire such knowledge is to eat the forbidden fruit, which God has commanded I never do.
SERPENT: God knows it shall bring you closer to him, and he is fearful. You may show him he has nothing to fear.
ADAM: I would certainly enjoy the fruit of the tree, were I to gain permission to eat it...
SERPENT: I grant you permission.
ADAM: Who are you, to grant permission to the child of God?
SERPENT: Did you yourself not say that I am wise beyond my status?
ADAM: I suppose you are, and I trust your sound reasoning. I shall follow your advice, since you think clearly and speak honestly. I know not who I am or what my place is in this world, and I greatly appreciate your assistance in realizing what Gods intentions were for me. However, I am not alone in this garden as the child of God, despite my higher status. What of my wife, Eve? What shall she say of such transgressions against our Lord, however well-intentioned? Even if they are not transgressions, perhaps she shall think they are and become incensed against myself and wrathful against you. This would displease our Lord as well, and nothing good could come of such deceit.
SERPENT: Your insights are clear and good, and the point you make is sound. If you so desire, I shall speak to her now.
ADAM: Many thanks for the good favor.It brings me gladness to know that the servants of the Lord are so good and faithful, and hope to help me as well. If she believes this idea is a good one, I shall trust your combined judgment, and I shall eat of the forbidden fruit.(Music cue)
SERPENT: And so it shall be.
The Outside Analysis:
Adam's child-like innocence leads him to trust others, who take advantage of his malleability. In Karin Boye's painting, Eden, of Adam and Eve leaning languidly against the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, Adam's upturned, curious face shows his youthful awe and wonder at his grand surroundings. His child-like pose shows that, even though he stands above Eve, who mirrors his countenance, he knows no more than she, nor any other creature God created. This innocence proves to be important as very few innocent characters live in the Bible. This juxtaposition to the quickly jaded Joseph or the clever, scheming Jacob sets Adam apart from the other patriarchs.
This innocence, though valuable to the story, makes Adam a highly malleable, impressionable character, however. After Eve eats of the Forbidden fruit, "she also (gives) some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate" (Gen. 3.4). Eve only "gives," or "gave" in the original text, Adam the fruit, and she does not deceive nor force him into eating it. Adam simply accepts the fruit and trusts her judgment without further consideration or thought. Abraham recalls this malleability later on when he begins to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, after God commands him to without any resistance as well. This shows that blind acceptance is a motif important to the Bible, and it strongly juxtaposes the many jaded, deceptive characters.
One of such characters with clear ulterior motives is the notorious Serpent that tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Despite the honesty of his argument, the serpent leads others astray by his cunning nature. When the serpent decides to convince Eve to eat the Forbidden Fruit against God's will, he explains that "God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened" (Gen.3.5). Though the fact that "God knows" of what would happen becomes evident later on, the use of that bit of honesty poses just one example of the Serpent's perpetual, if selective, honesty. This plays up the irony in the fact that Eve quickly tries to lie to God after eating the fruit by saying that the Serpent tricked her. The deceptive nature of women runs throughout the entire book in characters as Rachel, Rebekah, and Tamar, so it is important to note that Eve originates this behavior.
Panicale de Masolino also notes the theme of women's deception in his piece The Temptation of Adam and Eve with the Serpent, who interestingly has a woman's head. This face displays the fact that the Serpent has no "true" power, like the women of the time, but must use craftiness or cunning as a means to an end, which he clearly does. This furthers the irony, since females also typically use deceit, yet the snake simply uses crafty speech. This creates a strange combination of male and female traits unseen later on in Genesis.
The Artists:
Karin Boye, a leader in Swedish modernism, lived from 1900 to 1941, when she died of an alleged suicide. Predominantly a writer, Boye's works display great emotions, whether they be prose or poetry. She also contributed to the development of psychoanalysis in Scandinavian literature. Also a teacher, her work is still greatly studied and respected.
Continued Reading:
[[http://www.karinboye.se/index-en.shtml |Official Karin Boye Website]]: Complete translated works. Nordic Voices:An in-depth biography.
Born Tommaso de Cristoforo Fini, Masolino de Panacali painted during the Italian Renaissance . He painted in Hungary, Rome, and Florence, and held a seat in the Florence apothecaries guild. Much of his work, like most painters of the time, pertained to the Bible. After his trip to Hungary, Masolino took the popular interests of light and shade, architecture, and perspective back with him to use in his work. Masolino died in 1447, 74 years after his estimated birth in 1383.
Continued Viewing and Reading:
[[http://www.abcgallery.com/M/masaccio/masolino.html |ABC Gallery:]] Gallery of Masolino's work Artcyclopedia: Directory of paintings and location
The Personal Analysis:
While the Snake maintains full honesty throughout his arguments to persuade Adam, the Snake's cunningness allows him to manipulate Adam regardless. Even while the Snake crushes Adam, he explains that he is "teaching him, [does he] not desire knowledge?" As twisted as this logic is, innocent Adam, who has never suffered and has no real concept of consequences, dangers, or his own power, has no idea what the Snake is putting him through. The Snake replies in all honesty that he is teaching Adam and later tells him that knowledge is power. These two statements ring fully true. The Snake educates Adam about things God wishes not to. In that way, the Snake overrides God.
The ulterior motive of defeating God lives ever-present in the Snake's eyes, and explains his cunning manipulations of Adam. When Adam questions the use of knowledge, the Snake explains that "If God holds such knowledge, and God is good, then must not such knowledge be good as well?" This clever succession of logic justifies the direct betrayal of God. The Snake weaves the truth in such a fashion that Adam praises him for his loyalty and wisdom in the name of God. The Snake uses his sharp wit to preserve honesty and create true justifications for disobedient and otherwise bad actions.
The Reflection:
This project has left me breathless. My remarkable procrastination and crammed work made the process less than enjoyable. My sheer ineptness using technology limited my productivity as well. However, as I complete this never-ending checklist, I realize that I really did learn my lesson. The next time it will not happen again. The writing pieces were extraordinarily simple to complete, and I actually enjoyed analyzing something I wrote myself. I feel as though that process in particular made me analyze my own characterization techniques and strengthen my writing. I do believe this process helped me become a better writer in that regard, and a better student in general.
PASSIVE/AGGRESSIVE
A Holmgren Project by Rita
The Introduction:
When a reader becomes dissatisfied with what the author hands him, the author leaves the reader with
The Audio:
The Script:
(Music, prefereably something ethereal, unsettling)
(ADAM is a fairly neutral, trusting character. Child-like and easily frightened, he passes most of this conversation in alternations between angry confusion and thrilling revelation. The SERPENT should be played as the familiar sinister character, cold and calculating, with a striking poise similar to politicians or trial lawyers, even as he threatens ADAM'S life.)
ADAM: (Singing) La la la la, I love the garden, la la la all the beautiful animals and birds and plants and la la la...(etc.)
SERPENT: Adam...
ADAM: Who is there?
SERPENT: The serpent, the creature of the ground which you named yourself to be the serpent.
ADAM: What do you desire, serpent?
SERPENT: My desires are of no consequence, as our master God has placed little importance on us, the creatures of the ground. The importance has been placed upon the shoulders of man, of yourself, Adam. Yet, have you wondered what it is that set you as man apart from I, as beast?
ADAM: I have been created in the divine image. I have dominion over all creatures because of it. So says God, and as he is my master i have not thought to question it.
SERPENT: So says God? Well, God says much.(slithering noise, music out) If you have been created in the divine image, what have you done with the gifts you have been given?
ADAM: I have named the creatures of the earth, and I tend to the garden of Eden, all that my Lord has commanded me, no more, no less.
SERPENT: Your obedience is true, I grant you that. Yet you have no more knowledge than that which you have named, and no more wisdom than the plants that you tend.
(slithering noise, SERPENT wraps around ADAM. Following diologue until release should sound as though both parties are wrestling and exerting themselves)
ADAM: Off, you filthy creature, you crush me to the bones!
SERPENT: I am teaching you, do you not desire knowledge?
ADAM:I desire not this knowledge!
SERPENT: Perhaps the knowledge of God is the type you so desire!
ADAM:What could I do to gain this knowledge, why would I want to acquire it? I know not of the use of such things, nor have I considered them.
SERPENT: With more knowledge comes more power.
ADAM: AH! Only God knows more, and only God is more powerful...
SERPENT: But you could know more. Do you want to know more, Adam? Do you find the power that God covets so strongly desirable to you as well?
ADAM: How would such knowledge serve me? What would I do with it?
SERPENT: If God holds such knowledge, and God is good, then must not such knowledge be good as well?
ADAM: Ah! Now I do see! (slithering noise, SERPENT releases ADAM. ADAM pants to regain his breath) Knowledge shall bring me closer to God! You are so clearly correct. How sharply you see things, yet how low of a creature you are. Your lesson did teach me, and I forgive the pain you inflicted for the joy it shall later give me. I have one issue, however. The only way to acquire such knowledge is to eat the forbidden fruit, which God has commanded I never do.
SERPENT: God knows it shall bring you closer to him, and he is fearful. You may show him he has nothing to fear.
ADAM: I would certainly enjoy the fruit of the tree, were I to gain permission to eat it...
SERPENT: I grant you permission.
ADAM: Who are you, to grant permission to the child of God?
SERPENT: Did you yourself not say that I am wise beyond my status?
ADAM: I suppose you are, and I trust your sound reasoning. I shall follow your advice, since you think clearly and speak honestly. I know not who I am or what my place is in this world, and I greatly appreciate your assistance in realizing what Gods intentions were for me. However, I am not alone in this garden as the child of God, despite my higher status. What of my wife, Eve? What shall she say of such transgressions against our Lord, however well-intentioned? Even if they are not transgressions, perhaps she shall think they are and become incensed against myself and wrathful against you. This would displease our Lord as well, and nothing good could come of such deceit.
SERPENT: Your insights are clear and good, and the point you make is sound. If you so desire, I shall speak to her now.
ADAM: Many thanks for the good favor.It brings me gladness to know that the servants of the Lord are so good and faithful, and hope to help me as well. If she believes this idea is a good one, I shall trust your combined judgment, and I shall eat of the forbidden fruit.(Music cue)
SERPENT: And so it shall be.
The Outside Analysis:
This innocence, though valuable to the story, makes Adam a highly malleable, impressionable character, however. After Eve eats of the Forbidden fruit, "she also (gives) some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate" (Gen. 3.4). Eve only "gives," or "gave" in the original text, Adam the fruit, and she does not deceive nor force him into eating it. Adam simply accepts the fruit and trusts her judgment without further consideration or thought. Abraham recalls this malleability later on when he begins to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, after
One of such characters with clear ulterior motives is the notorious Serpent that tempted Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Despite the honesty of his argument, the serpent leads others astray by his cunning nature. When the serpent decides to convince Eve to eat the Forbidden Fruit against God's will, he explains that "God knows that when you eat it your eyes will b
Panicale de Masolino also notes the theme of women's deception in his piece The Temptation of Adam and Eve with the Serpent, who interestingly has a woman's head. This face displays the fact that the Serpent has no "true" power, like the women of the time, but must use craftiness or cunning as a means to an end, which he clearly does. This furthers the irony, since females also typically use deceit, yet the snake simply uses crafty speech. This creates a strange combination of male and female traits unseen later on in Genesis.
The Artists:
Karin Boye, a leader in Swedish modernism, lived from 1900 to 1941, when she died of an alleged suicide. Predominantly a writer, Boy
Continued Reading:
[[http://www.karinboye.se/index-en.shtml |Official Karin Boye Website]]: Complete translated works.
Nordic Voices:An in-depth biography.
Born Tommaso de Cristoforo Fini, Masolino de Panacali painted during the Italian Renaissance . He painted in Hungary, Rome, and Florence
Continued Viewing and Reading:
[[http://www.abcgallery.com/M/masaccio/masolino.html |ABC Gallery:]] Gallery of Masolino's work
Artcyclopedia: Directory of paintings and location
The Personal Analysis:
While the Snake maintains full honesty throughout his arguments to persuade Adam, the Snake's cunningness allows him to manipulate Adam regardless. Even while the Snake crushes Adam, he explains that he is "teaching him, [does he] not desire knowledge?" As twisted as this logic is, innocent Adam, who has never suffered and has no real concept of consequences, dangers, or his own power, has no idea what the Sna
The ulterior motive of defeating God lives ever-present in the Snake's eyes, and explains his cunning manipulations of Adam. When Adam questions the use of knowledge, the Snake explains that "If God holds such knowledge, and God is good, then must not such knowledge be good as well?" This clever succession of logic justifies the direct betrayal of God. The Snake weaves the truth in such a fashion that Adam praises him for his loyalty and wisdom in the name of God. The Snake uses his sharp wit to preserve honesty and create true justifications for disobedient and otherwise bad actions.
The Reflection:
The Sources:
Informational Sources:
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/kboye.htm
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/bio/m/masolino/biograph.html
Photo Sources:
http://www.encore-editions.com/artists/michelangelo/thumbs/thm_thm_The_Temptation_of_Adam_and_Eve.jpg
http://www.dn.se/polopoly_fs/1.566776.1233996659!image/2665029921.jpg
http://jonathanignacio.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/boy_reading_bible.jpg
http://homes.bio.psu.edu/people/faculty/bshapiro/spiral-clock.jpg
http://www.artexpertswebsite.com/pages/artists/artists_l-z/peter/Peter_AdamAndEveInTheGardenOfEden.jpg
http://www.davidscottwritings.com/masolino3.jpg
http://www.karinboye.se/verk/akvareller/eden.gif